Clustering of Environments of Southern Soft Red Winter Wheat Region for Milling and Baking Quality Attributes.

Division of regional nursery test sites into homogenous subregions contributes to more efficient evaluation and better differentiation of cultivars. Data from the Uniform Southern Soft Red Winter Wheat Nursery (USSRWWN) were analyzed to group testing sites into relatively homogenous subregions for milling and baking quality (MBQ) attributes. Environmental effects due to years accounted for over 50% of the total variation for protein content (P) and 42% for alkaline water retention capacity (AWRC). Genotype effect accounted for 63% of the total variation for softness equivalence (SE), and 37% for flour yield (FLY). A significant genotype x location (GxL) interaction occurred for FLY and P. However, the GxL variance component accounted for a small proportion of the total phenotypic variance, suggesting that clustering would be more beneficial for resource efficiency than for increasing differentiation of genotypes. A hierarchical cluster analysis was used to group locations on the basis of GxL interaction effects for FLY, P, AWRC, and SE. Cluster analysis divided the USSRWWN into two main subregions within which the GxL interaction was reduced by over 90% for FLY and by 60% for P. Although this classification is not entirely consistent with the geographic distribution of locations, clusters do follow general geographic-climatic-disease regions. Our results suggest that the USSR-WWN can be divided into subregions to reduce the resources expended on evaluation of MBQ attributes. This classification of locations could be useful in breeding for specific adaptability within subregions.

Continuous noninvasive monitoring of pH and temperature in rat Walker 256 carcinoma during normoglycemia and hyperglycemia.

The extracellular pH and temperature of Walker 256 carcinoma and of normal subcutaneous tissue were measured continuously in unanesthetized female Sprague-Dawley rats for up to 20 hours following glucose or galactose administration. The pH was monitored with flexible glass electrodes contained in micropore chambers implanted in the flank of a rat. Temperature was measured with miniature thermistor probes incorporated in the tumor or in subcutaneous tissue. The pH in the untreated Walker 256 carcinoma decreased linearly from approximately 7.3 to 6.2 with increasing tumor mass up to 50 g. Administration of glucose (6 g/kg body wt, ip) in tumor-bearing rats increased glucose concentrations in blood and tumor, as well as lactic acid concentration in tumor, and had no significant effect on lactic acid concentration in blood. Plasma volume was not affected by either glucose or galactose loading as compared to that in rats given saline alone. However, the blood viscosity increased by up to 30% within 30 minutes after galactose injection, but not after glucose injection, and this significant difference in viscosities persisted for approximately 6 hours after glucose and galactose injections. In small tumors (less than 10 g), a decrease of up to 1 pH unit was observed within 6 hours after glucose administration, and the return of pH to pretreatment values began about 10 hours after glucose injection. Response of large ulcerated tumors (greater than 20 g) was not as uniform; the pH decreased by about 0.5 to 1 pH unit for only a brief period. After galactose injection, pH in some tumors remained unchanged, whereas in others an average decrease of about 0.2 pH units was observed. The pH in normal tissue was not affected by glucose or galactose administration. Both glucose and galactose decreased tumor temperature by about 7 degrees C.

Enhanced metastasis formation by combined hyperthermia and hyperglycemia in rats bearing Walker 256 carcinosarcoma.

Hyperglycemia has been shown to decrease tumor pH and blood flow rates, consequently this could increase the sensitivity of tumor to hyperthermia. Combined waterbath hyperthermia (43 degrees C/2 h) and hyperglycemia (6 g/kg, i.p.) was investigated on survival of rats bearing a metastasizing form of Walker 256 carcinosarcoma. Hyperthermia alone increased the survival rate of animals from 19% to 42%. Hyperglycemia promoted more uniform tumor heating in the foot. However, combined hyperthermia and hyperglycemia led to a significant decrease in the survival rate of animals (10%; P less than 0.001), and most rats died with widespread metastasis in lymph nodes, lungs and kidneys. These findings do not support the postulate that hyperglycemia leads to sensitization of tumor destruction by hyperthermia.

A clinical and biochemical evaluation of Clozic, a novel disease modifying drug in rheumatoid arthritis.

We have compared two dose levels of Clozic, a novel agent with potential anti-rheumatoid activity, to D-penicillamine and aspirin in an observer blind randomised parallel group study of 56 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. Eight clinical assessments and 26 laboratory assessments were performed on each patient at each visit over a six month period. Results were analysed by conventional methods and also by correlation matrices constructed between clinical and laboratory variables. Patients treated with D-penicillamine (500 mg/day) responded adequately and the control group on aspirin (up to 3.6 g of enteric coated formulation/day) performed well, though the withdrawal rate from this latter group was high, predominantly because of continued disease activity. Patients receiving Clozic (100 mg/day or 300 mg/day) improved more than patients receiving penicillamine, particularly at the higher dose. Comparison of methods of analysis validates the use of correlation matrices both for detecting anti-rheumatoid activity and for determining the optimum dose of a novel compound. This trial illustrates the problems of a study of this nature, with the powerful effect on patients of being enrolled in such a closely monitored investigation. It emphasises the greater value of biochemical changes in following disease changes.

Effects of hyperthermia and hyperglycemia on the metastases formation and on survival of rat bearing W256 carcinosarcoma.

Hyperthermia (temperatures less than 42 degrees C) is widely used in the treatment of cancer. Current thrust in this field is directed towards using agents which can potentiate the effects of hyperthermia. Combined local hyperthermia (43 degrees C/2 hours) and hyperglycemia (6g glucose/kg body weight; mean blood glucose levels of 500 mg%) was investigated for treating a metastasizing form of a rat W256 carcinosarcoma. Glucose loading of the tumor-bearing rats rendered the foot tumors physically more easy to heat (due to inhibition of tumor blood flow), but combined hyperthermia and hyperglycemia lead to a decrease in survival rate (13% compared to 41% with heat alone), most animals died with widespread metastases in lymph nodes, lungs and kidneys. The data does not support the postulate that hyperglycemia leads to sensitization of tumor destruction by hyperthermia. We suggest that Corynebacterium parvum, a non-specific immunostimulant, should be thoroughly investigated as a potentiator of hyperthermia.

Potential for the use of germinated wheat and soybeans to enhance human nutrition.

Wheat and soybeans are the major agricultural exports of the United States. The U.S. sells more of each crop than any other nation. Soybeans are the main staple in China, but the U.S. sells more soybeans than China grows. For hundreds of millions of other people, wheat is the main staple. And yet, most Americans eat whole grains of neither wheat nor soybeans. In the United States, many nutrients of wheat and soybeans are lost in processing or are fed to animals. A highly significant share of the wheat nutrients are lost from the main foodstream when the germ and bran (with aleurone) portions are separated. Whole soybeans are carefully processed for food by only a handful of Americans.